Page 51 of The Nymph King

The man flushed. “Of course.”

He bowed again and retreated into the crowd. When he disappeared, Imani leveled a glare at Ellisar’s faint smile.

“What?” she demanded.

“Nothing,” Ellisar said, palms up.

“You look pleased with yourself.”

“I’m pleased with you.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “That sounds dangerously close to condescension.”

“It wasn’t intended that way.” He brushed his tousled hair back from his brow. “You wanted the decision. You made it.”

Irritation warred with admiration inside her. “So that’s it?”

Ellisar shrugged. “What else would there be?”

“You were rather committed to deciding for me thirty seconds ago.”

“And you told me I was wrong.”

Huffing, Imani folded her arms.

He exhaled through his nose and darted a glance around the ballroom. “Do not misunderstand me. If someone comes near you with a blade, poison, hostile magic, or anything else I consider a credible threat, I will intervene before asking whether you approve.”

Humming, she pressed her lips together in a thin line and let him continue.

“That responsibility ends with credible threats.” He nodded to a couple that passed by. “Conversation, dancing, and your social access belong to you.”

Imani toyed with her necklace, nerves making her fidget. She had spent so long around powerful men who treated every boundary as the start of a negotiation that she almost didn’t know what to do with one who simply acknowledged it.

“So you’ll argue with me,” she said after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence.

“Frequently, I suspect.”

“But you’ll listen.”

“Only when you’re right.”

Her mouth fell open a little. “Only when I’m right?”

“I said I would respect your decisions. I still reserve the right to tell you when they’re terrible.”

Amusement shone in his eyes, though his expression was deadly serious.

“You’re laughing at me,” she shot back.

“I am doing no such thing.”

“You have a very specific face when you’re trying not to.”

“We’ve known each other for less than a week.”

“And already I know your weaknesses.”

His mouth pressed harder into a straight line.